Coconut Almond Date Energy Balls with Lemon {GF, Vegan}

Five ingredient coconut almond date energy balls come together in under 15 minutes and make for a super zesty and refreshing snack (or dessert) that is also healthy, gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar free. 

Are you ready for my latest date energy balls? I’ve been making date energy balls for years because as it turns out dates are naturally super sweet and sticky making for the perfect refined sugar free sweetener in a snack ball. They work with pretty much any combination of dried fruit or nuts and I love love love to use them, hence my full collection of date energy balls. Some of my other date snack recipes include: vegan peanut butter date energy bites, dried fruit and nut bars, vegan apricot walnut energy bars,  and vegan energy bars with coconut, macadamia and cranberry.

Like I said, the flavor combinations are endless.

Another awesome fact about energy balls? They come together in no time at all. In the food processor. Essentially a one pot snack.

So time to skip those store bought Gushers (or those still on the shelves ? It’s been a while since I bought snacks at the grocery store) and feed healthier and heartier coconut almond date balls energy balls to all those around you instead.

Now the other magical ingredients in these date energy balls that take it to a whole new level are toasted coconut and lemon zest. Oh my oh my oh my oh my — toasted coconut is like eating little bites of edible gold. Have you seen the coconut chip craze all over the store shelves? Well that is because once coconut flakes spend a little bit of time in the oven something fantastic happens to them.

They crisp up and take on a whole new flavor profile. They are crunchy but light with that lightly toasted aftertaste.

I make toasted coconut flakes all the time. They are amazing as a snack on their own, in granola, or in these date energy balls.

I’m sure this recipe would work with untoasted regular unsweetened coconut flakes, but I prefer adding the toasted ones for more depth of flavor. Something about raw coconut flakes when added to recipes is almost too coconutty for me. You know what I mean?

I am all about the coconut milk, in my curries, in my coffee – that I never have a problem with, but coconut shrimp – shrimp covered in shredded coconut quickly becomes just a little bit too coconutty for me.

If you’re like me and want just that right amount of coconut flavor toasted coconut is going to be for you.

And now let’s talk lemon zest — another one of my all time favorite things to sprinkle into a recipe. Lemon zest just encompasses all the goodness of that refreshing lemon flavor with none of the acidity and tart sour-ness. It adds in a perfect zing to what could otherwise be a very dense and rich date energy ball.

Add a hint of lemon zest to anything and a dish is immediately lightened up a bit. These balls come together in no time at all and after being frozen for a bit just to firm them up, make for the perfect afternoon treat. Light and slightly sweetened while fully of nutty flavors.

So next time you’re looking for a new home made snack be sure to try these coconut almond date energy balls with lemon zest! One of my new favorite snack recipes that also works as a light dessert — I know all my dinner guests enjoyed these with their tea!

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Coconut Almond Date Energy Balls with Lemon {GF, Vegan}

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Five ingredient coconut almond date energy bites come together in under 15 minutes and make for a super zesty and refreshing snack that is also healthy, gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar free.

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 20 date energy balls

Calories: 86 kcal

Author: Vicky Berman

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
• 8-10 dates chopped
• 2 lemons zested
• 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil 

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to food processor. Process until smooth and broken down and mixture starts to get sticky.
2. Form into 20 balls.
3. Freeze until firm.